Energy Storage North America Reveals Innovation Award Finalists

Voting now open for the most innovative energy storage projects in North America

San Diego, Calif. – August 23, 2016 – Energy Storage North America (ESNA), the largest gathering of policy, technology and market leaders in energy storage, today announced the finalists for the 2016 ESNA Innovation Awards, which recognize excellence and impact in energy storage project development. All finalists will be honored during an Award Ceremony at Energy Storage North America, held on October 4-6 in the San Diego Convention Center. Additionally, ESNA will present the Utility and Policymaker Champion Awards to one individual each from the policy and utility sectors who have shown leadership and dedication in advancing energy storage in North America.

The nine finalists demonstrate outstanding project achievements across three categories: Centralized Storage (utility-scale), Distributed Storage (commercial, industrial or residential) and Mobility (transportation, electric vehicles and enabling infrastructure). Innovation Award finalists were selected on the basis of their impact on the energy storage ecosystem, services supplied to the customer and the grid, unique technology solutions, financing, or partnerships.

ESNA 2016 Innovation Award Finalists:

Centralized Energy Storage

• IPL Advancion Energy Storage Array: first grid-scale, battery-based energy storage system to make a footprint in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.• MESA 1 Project: allows Snohomish County Public Utility District to increase their use of renewable energy and improve overall reliability while using open, non-proprietary industry standards.• The Village of Minster Energy Storage Project: One of the largest storage systems connected through a municipal utility, providing multiple revenue streams including frequency regulation, transmission and distribution deferral, and demand response.

Distributed Energy Storage• Stone Edge Farm Microgrid: First of its kind to incorporate three modes of operation: on grid, off grid, and both simultaneously.• PowerHouse - 20-home energy storage pilot: Canada’s first virtual power plant, uses an aggregated fleet of autonomously controlled residential solar and energy storage systems located at customer homes.• Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center: PV plus energy storage system that enables the RMI Innovation Center’s peak to never exceed 50kW.

Public voting will determine winnersWinners for each category will be determined by the ESNA Advisory Board (50%) as well as public voting (50%). One vote per user will count toward the final results. Visit the ESNA awards website to learn more about the projects and how to cast your vote.